Azusa Pacific University and Mt. San Antonio College announce a new partnership between the two institutions, which will extend access to nursing education for residents of the San Gabriel Valley and greater Los Angeles area while offering a quicker and more affordable pathway for students to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. A special signing will be hosted on Sept. 18 to mark this important connection. The schools hope to welcome the first cohort in spring 2026.
“We are excited about this partnership with Mt. SAC and their nursing program,” said Renee Pozza, PhD, RN, CNS, FNP-BC, dean of APU’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences. “Students will benefit from a collaborative program of study taught by expert faculty from both institutions. This integrated program will not only enhance student access in a cost-effective and efficient pathway, but also accelerate completion of a bachelor’s degree in nursing so both institutions can quickly graduate students to address the nursing shortage in California.”
This collaboration enables nursing students to concurrently enroll at APU and Mt. SAC, earning credits and clinical experience through both institutions. In just six semesters of total program study, Mt. SAC’s Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) students will graduate from APU with their BSN. This dual preparation improves graduates’ employability, since California healthcare organizations highly prefer to hire BSN-prepared graduates.
“This agreement provides students with more suitable and more affordable options to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing,” said Lance Heard, MS, dean of Mt. SAC’s Technology and Health Division. “Both the integrated and bridge options offer students a seamless way to transfer from one top nursing school to another.”
The accelerated program elevates the proficiency of nurses entering Southern California hospitals and clinics, moving such graduates beyond the two-year associate’s degree while increasing their skills as caregivers. In combining the low-cost, open-access program at Mt. SAC with APU’s nationally ranked School of Nursing, students from all educational backgrounds will enter a pathway to a high-paying, impactful career. Students will benefit from APU’s RN to BSN program, which was ranked #1 in California by nurse.org. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the Board of Registered Nursing’s annual surveys, APU graduates approximately 4 percent of the newly registered nurses in California, with an employment rate for all pre-licensure programs at 100 percent within a year of graduation, and 90 percent of those employed within California.
“APU and Mt. SAC share a mission to provide innovative and attainable pathways for students to help them reach their academic and professional goals,” said APU President Adam J.Morris, PhD. “APU’s acclaimed nursing program produces graduates recognized for their compassionate and skilled care, who serve at top hospitals throughout Southern California and beyond.”
Baccalaureate-prepared nurses have been shown to improve patient outcomes and reduce hospital costs. Studies have shown that nurses with bachelor’s degrees score higher on measures of quality and safety, and earn more. APU ranks in the top 14 percent of nursing programs nationwide for early and mid-career salaries, according to Payscale’s College Salary Report. At the same time, bachelor’s degrees can present financial challenges to students and their families. The National Education Progression in Nursing Collaborative challenged nursing educators to create a seamless model that allows ADN students to easily and quickly complete the BSN degree. This pathway will help address California’s need for 44,500 new nurses by 2030, according to RegisteredNursing.org.
“We are honored to partner with Azusa Pacific University in this initiative,” said Mt. SAC President and CEO Martha Garcia, EdD. “By working together, we have created a seamless process for students to first earn their associate’s degree through our nationally ranked program, and then take the next step and earn a bachelor’s degree through APU’s excellent program. Our students will be well prepared to enter a surging job market and to lead the next generation of nursing professionals.”
Students entering the Mt. SAC/APU program will have completed prerequisite courses required for admission to the Mt. SAC nursing program. Upon acceptance to the Mt. SAC/APU program, the student concurrently enrolls in classes at Mt. SAC and at APU, receiving complete student status at both institutions.
The two-year sequence covers 70 units at Mt. SAC in courses such as physiology, pharmacology, psychiatric, medical-surgical, obstetrics, and pediatrics, and 50 units at APU, including pathophysiology, research and statistics, ethics and spirituality, and evidence-based practice. After the student’s fourth semester at Mt. SAC, students earn their associate’s degree in nursing and take the state licensure exam to become a registered nurse. Mt. SAC ‘s nursing program serves approximately 200 students each year and had a 96 percent pass rate on the 2023-24 state board nursing exam. After taking a final course in public health at APU, they will earn their bachelor’s degree.
Azusa Pacific University, a top Christian higher education institution on the West Coast, equips students to become compassionate leaders who impact the world for Christ. With 71 bachelor’s degrees, 44 master’s degrees, 25 certificates, 8 credentials, and 9 doctoral programs, the university offers its more than 7,000 students a transformational education on campus, online, and at 7 regional locations throughout Southern California. Recognized for excellence in nursing education, APU ranks in the top five percent of nursing programs in the nation in 2024 according to College Factual. Commended for its graduating students, program offerings, industry connections, and high-impact experiences, APU’s School of Nursing prepares nurses for a deeper level of compassionate patient care. Learn more at apu.edu.
Mt. San Antonio College’s Nursing Program is a rigorous and well‑established two‑year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) designed to prepare students for careers as registered nurses. The curriculum combines strong foundational coursework in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, and general education with extensive clinical practice in local hospitals and healthcare settings. Approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing and accredited by ACEN. Clinical training is immersive, including skills labs and a final 108‑hour preceptorship under experienced RNs. Graduates earn an Associate of Science in Nursing and are eligible to take the NCLEX‑RN licensure exam, ready to embark on careers in hospitals, clinics, long‑term care, home health, and beyond.